Best Tips for Eating and Drinking in Bahrain, Manama, Bahrain

One of the surprising pleasures of a trip to Bahrain is the quality of the food. There is a whole range from Bahraini and Arabic cuisine to international food. And you can choose anything from cafes and coffee shops to Michelin starred restaurants, mostly at very affordable prices.

You can find all the staples of Arabic cuisine here. Hummus, foules (broad beans mixed with olive oil, lemon juice and garlic) and felafel appear everywhere, always accompanied by lots of bread. There are meat skewers and grills, and lots of salads. Then there is the traditional Arabic coffee, made from lightly roasted coffee beans and cardamom pods, and usually served with a dish of dates.

But there is also a distinctive Bahraini cuisine, based upon fish, meat (chicken and lamb) and rice. A traditional dish is machbous, a biryani style meal with fish or meat, rice and spices (you can also find vegetarian versions). Local snacks are often based on bread or pastry, filled with meat or cheese. Breakfast is an important meal here, often served until lunchtime. Look out for lots of egg dishes, combined with beans, cheese or other ingredients. Bahraini food is made for sharing, and it is customary to order several dishes to be shared at the table. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).